The role of laser pulse duration in the photodesorption of NO/NiO(1 0 0)

It is shown that continuous wave electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy combined with pulsed mode EPR exhibits improvement in studying the structural and dynamic characteristics of gels. This approach applied on bis(leucine) oxalyl diamide ethanol gels revealed that secondary structural units of self-organized gelator molecules promote the interactions with paramagnetic nitroxyl groups exhibiting hydrogen acceptor properties. Ethanol entrapped in the gel network was still prone to glass → crystalline transformation. In the ethanol crystalline state, nitroxide spin lattice relaxation time revealed increased spin-phonon interactions as the gelator concentration was increased, while a complex behaviour was observed in ethanol glass.     

Self‐Assembled Fibers Containing Stable Organic Radical Moieties: Alignment and Magnetic Properties in Liquid Crystals

Macroscopically oriented stable organic radicals have been obtained by using a liquid–crystalline (LC) gel composed of an l ‐isoleucine‐based low molecular weight gelator containing a 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine 1‐oxyl moiety. The LC gel has allowed magnetic measurements of the oriented organic radical. The gelator has formed fibrous aggregates in liquid crystals via intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The fibrous aggregates of the radical gelator are formed and oriented on cooling by applying a magnetic field to the mixture of liquid crystals and the gelator. Superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) measurements have revealed that both oriented and nonoriented fibrous aggregates exhibited antiferromagnetic interactions, in which super‐exchange interaction constant J is estimated as ?0.89 cm^?1.     

超分子均苯四甲酸/对羟基吡啶水凝胶中纤维状聚集体结构与性能的关系

采用1H-NMR和FT-IR表征了在摩尔比1∶4条件下,由均苯四甲酸和对羟基吡啶合成的一种凝胶因子(G2).通过在室温下冷却G2的水溶液,形成了超分子水凝胶.采用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、示差扫描量热仪(DSC)和流变仪等多种技术研究了冷却速率对凝胶的组装纤维结构及宏观性能的影响.随着冷却速度的降低,纤维尺寸变大而凝胶的稳定性降低.因此,可以通过环境因素来控制凝胶的性能.采用流变仪分析表明凝胶具有高的机械强度.DSC分析结果表明随着凝胶因子浓度的增加,凝胶中可冻结水的含量降低.相对于在摩尔比1∶2条件下,由均苯四甲酸和对羟基吡啶合成的凝胶因子G1,在相同浓度下,G2在更高的最低凝胶因子浓度(MGC)使水凝胶,并且得到的凝胶具有更低的凝胶-溶胶破坏温度(Tgel).利用环境扫描电镜(ESEM)直接观测了实际含水状态下凝胶的形貌,结果表明采用常规SEM观测到的纤维状网络与ESEM的结果一致,这说明在干燥过程中形貌并未发生太大变化.组装体结构和性能关系有助于认识凝胶形成机理并使凝胶满足不同的应用.     

Unusual Salt‐Induced Color Modulation through Aggregation‐Induced Emission Switching of a Bis‐cationic Phenylenedivinylene‐Based π Hydrogelator

The synthesis, hydrogelation, and aggregation‐induced emission switching of the phenylenedivinylene bis‐N‐octyl pyridinium salt is described. Hydrogelation occurs as a consequence of π‐stacking, van der Waals, and electrostatic interactions that lead to a high gel melting temperature and significant mechanical properties at a very low weight percentage of the gelator. A morphology transition from fiber‐to‐coil‐to‐tube was observed depending on the concentration of the gelator. Variation in the added salt type, salt concentrations, or temperature profoundly influenced the order of aggregation of the gelator molecules in aqueous solution. Formation of a novel chromophore assembly in this way leads to an aggregation‐induced switch of the emission colors. The emission color switches from sky blue to white to orange depending upon the extent of aggregation through mere addition of external inorganic salts. Remarkably, the salt effect on the assembly of such cationic phenylenedivinylenes in water follow the behavior predicted from the well‐known Hofmeister effects. Mechanistic insights for these aggregation processes were obtained through the counterion exchange studies. The aggregation‐induced emission switching that leads to a room‐temperature white‐light emission from a single chromophore in a single solvent (water) is highly promising for optoelectronic applications.     

Remarkable Shape‐Sustaining,Load‐Bearing,and Self‐Healing Properties Displayed by a Supramolecular Gel Derived from a Bis‐pyridyl‐bis‐amide of L‐Phenyl Alanine

A series of bis‐amides decorated with pyridyl and phenyl moieties derived from L ‐amino acids having an innocent side chain (L ‐alanine and L ‐phenyl alanine) were synthesized as potential low‐molecular‐weight gelators (LMWGs). Both protic and aprotic solvents were found to be gelled by most of the bis‐amides with moderate to excellent gelation efficiency (minimum gelator concentration=0.32–4.0 wt. % and gel–sol dissociation temperature T_gel=52–110 °C). The gels were characterized by rheology, DSC, SEM, TEM, and temperature‐variable ¹H NMR measurements. pH‐dependent gelation studies revealed that the pyridyl moieties took part in gelation. Structure–property correlation was attempted using single‐crystal X‐ray and powder X‐ray diffraction data. Remarkably, one of the bis‐pyridyl bis‐amide gelators, namely 3,3‐Phe (3‐pyridyl bis‐amide of L ‐phenylalanine) displayed outstanding shape‐sustaining, load‐bearing, and self‐healing properties.     

Confinement effects on the self-assembly of 1,3:2,4-Di-p-methylbenzylidene sorbitol based organogel

1,3:2,4-di- p-methylbenzylidene sorbitol (MDBS) is a small organic molecule that is capable of inducing self-assembly in a wide variety of organic solvents and of forming organogels. In this paper, we present a novel approach to tune the network architectures of organogels by utilizing geometric confinement while varying the gelator concentration. Self-assembly of MDBS in propylene carbonate (PC) is investigated in a series of microchannels with widths varying from 20 to 80 mum and the gelator concentration varying from 2 to 7 wt %. We demonstrate by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) that a transition from fibrillar structure to sheaflike spherulite structure occurs when (a) the channel width is increased for fixed gelator concentrations and (b) gelator concentration is increased for fixed channel widths. A phase diagram is built based on these observations. Polarized microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images are also obtained for organogel under unconfined condition to display the spherulite structures viewed under different length scales. The thermal properties of the organogel are measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to verify the structural difference obtained under confined and unconfined conditions and the structure stability. Our results provide a novel strategy to control the topological structure of self-assembled systems and to modify their thermal properties via geometric confinement.     

基于偏苯三甲酸与对羟基吡啶复合物的超分子水凝胶

基于偏苯三甲酸和对羟基吡啶合成了一种具有支化结构的凝胶因子,采用氢核磁、红外光谱及元素分析确认其结构.该凝胶因子熔体在冷却时可拉出数厘米的长丝,表明分子间形成了强相互作用.将凝胶因子的水溶液分别在25℃和0℃下自然冷却、以及在25℃的超声作用下冷却,凝胶因子自组装成纤维状网络结构并使水凝胶化,纤维网络的密度及凝胶的稳定性均按上述凝胶形成条件顺序增加.通过干凝胶能谱面扫描分析发现氮元素主要处于纤维内部,表明两亲性凝胶因子对分子自组装的影响.通过分析邻苯二甲酸与对羟基吡啶复合物、偏苯三甲酸的单晶结构表明,凝胶因子基于多种氢键识别作用组装成纤维结构.干凝胶的粉末X射线衍射分析表明在凝胶化过程中凝胶因子沿着特定方向进行组装.     

Bis[(alkoxy)benzoylsemicarbazides]--a new class of powerful organogelators

Reaction of N-[(alkoxy)benzoyl]hydrazides and diisocyanates produces bis[(alkoxy)benzoylsemicarbazides] that allow for 'cold gelation' of organic liquids by mixing low viscous gelator solutions with a large excess of the respective solvent at ambient temperature.     

New fluorescent amide-functionalized phenylethynylthiophene low molecular weight gelator

[reaction: see text]. An amide-functionalized phenylethynylthiophene gelator has been synthesized. Self-assembly of this molecule via cooperative hydrogen bonding and pi-stacking induced gelation of a variety of organic solvents. The presence of aggregates was confirmed by concentration-dependent absorption and fluorescence properties. SEM and TEM studies reveal the formation of fiberlike nanostructure.     

In Situ Synthesis of a Supramolecular Hydrogelator at an Oil/Water Interface for Stabilization and Stimuli‐Induced Fusion of Microdroplets

Supramolecular hydrogels are expected to have applications as novel soft materials in various fields owing to their designable functional properties. Herein, we developed an in situ synthesis of supramolecular hydrogelators, which can trigger gelation of an aqueous solution without the need for temperature change. This was achieved by mixing two precursors, which induced the synthesis of a supramolecular gelator and its instantaneous self‐assembly into nanofibers. We then performed the in situ synthesis of this supramolecular gelator at an oil/water interface to produce nanofibers that covered the surfaces of the oil droplets (nanofiber‐stabilized oil droplets). External stimuli induced fusion of the droplets owing to disassembly of the gelator molecules. Finally, we demonstrated that this stimuli‐induced droplet fusion triggered a synthetic reaction within the droplets. This means that the confined nanofiber‐stabilized droplets can be utilized as stimuli‐responsive microreactors.     

Supramolecular Ionic‐Liquid Gels with High Ionic Conductivity

Supramolecular ionogels were prepared by the gelation of room‐temperature ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIm][BF₄]) with (S,S)‐bis(leucinol)oxalamide. Remarkably, the ionic conductivity of solutions and ionogels with low gelator concentrations is higher than that of neat [BMIm][BF₄]. On the basis of molecular dynamics simulations and quantum mechanical calculations, the origin of this phenomenon is attributed to the higher affinity of gelator molecules towards [BF₄]^? ions, which reduces the electrostatic attraction between [BMIm]⁺ and [BF₄]^? and thus increases their mobility. With increasing gelator concentration, the ionic conductivity decreases due to the formation of a denser gelator matrix, which hinders the pathways for ionic transport. However, even for very dense ionogels, this decrease is less than one order of magnitude relative to neat [BMIm][BF₄], and thus they can be classified as highly conductive materials with strong potential for application as functional electrolytes.     

Chiral bis(amino alcohol)oxalamide gelators-gelation properties and supramolecular organization: racemate versus pure enantiomer gelation

Four new chiral bis(amino alcohol)oxalamides (1-4: amino alcohol=leucinol, valinol, phenylglycinol, and phenylalaninol, respectively) have been prepared as low-molecular-weight organic gelators. Their gelation properties towards various organic solvents and mixtures were determined and these were then compared to related bis(amino acid) oxalamide gelators. Spectroscopic (FTIR, (1)H NMR) and X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the primary organization motif of (S,S)-1 and racemate 1 (rac-1) in lipophilic solvents involved the formation of inverse bilayers. The X-ray crystal structure of (S,S)-1 also shows this type of bilayer organization. The crystal structure of rac-2 reveals meso bilayers of hydrogen-bonded aggregates. Within the bilayers formed, the gelator molecules are connected by cooperative hydrogen bonding between oxalamide units and OH groups, while the interbilayer interactions are realized through lipophilic interactions between the iBu groups of leucinol. Oxalamide meso-1 lacks any gelation ability and crystallizes in monolayers. In dichloromethane rac-1 forms an unstable gel; this is prone to crystallization as a result of the formation of symmetrical meso bilayers. In contrast, in aromatic solvents rac-1 forms stable gels; this indicates that enantiomeric bilayers are formed. Oxalamide rac-1 is capable of gelling a volume of toluene three times larger than (S,S)-1. A tranmission electron microscopy investigation of rac-1 and (S,S)-1 toluene gels reveals the presence of thinner fibers in the former gel, and, hence, a more compact network that is capable of immobilizing a larger volume of the solvent. The self-assembly of these types of gelator molecules into bilayers and subsequent formation of fibrous aggregates can be explained by considering the strength and direction of aggregate forces (supramolecular vectors) in three-dimensional space.     

Anion tuning and polymer templating in a simple low molecular weight organogelator

A simple triethoxysilane appended bis(urea) low molecular weight gelator (LMWG) affords strong gels in organic solvents that are susceptible to fine tuning by anion binding, while the gel structure can be rigidified into a porous hybrid polymer material by hydrolysis of the triethoxysilane end groups.     

Structural characterization,gelation ability,and energy‐framework analysis of two bis(long‐chain ester)‐substituted 4,4′‐biphenyl compounds

There are few examples of single‐crystal structure determinations of gelators, as gel formation requires that the dissolved gelator self‐assemble into a three‐dimensional network structure incorporating solvent via noncovalent interactions rather than self‐assembly followed by crystallization. In the solid‐state structures of the isostructural compounds 4,4′‐bis[5‐(methoxycarbonyl)pentyloxy]biphenyl (BBO6‐Me), C₂₆H₃₄O₆, and 4,4′‐bis[5‐(ethoxycarbonyl)pentyloxy]biphenyl (BBO6‐Et), C₂₈H₃₈O₆, the molecules sit on a crystallographically imposed center of symmetry, resulting in strictly coplanar phenyl rings. BBO6‐Me behaves as an organogelator in various alcohol solvents, whereas BBO6‐Et does not. The extended structure reveals bundles of molecules that form a columnar superstructure. Framework‐energy calculations reveal much stronger interaction energies within the columns (−52 to −78 kJ mol⁻¹) than between columns (−2 to −16 kJ mol⁻¹). The intracolumnar interactions are dominated by a dispersion component, whereas the intercolumnar interactions have a substantial electrostatic component.     

In Situ Gel‐to‐Crystal Transition and Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Obtained by Fluorination of a Cyclic β‐Aminoalcohol Gelator

A new fluorinated version of a cyclic β‐aminoalcohol gelator derived from 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline is presented. The gelator is able to gel various nonprotic solvents through OH???N hydrogen bonds and additional CH???F interactions due to the introduction of fluorine. A bimolecular lamellar structure is formed in the gel phase, which partly preserves the pattern of molecular organization in the single crystal. The racemate of the chiral gelator shows lower gelation ability than its enantiomer because of a higher tendency to form microcrystals, as shown by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The influence of fluorination on the self‐assembly of the gelator and the properties of the gel was investigated in comparison to the original fluorine‐free gel system. The introduction of fluorine brings two new features. The first is good recognition of o‐xylene by the gelator, which induces an in situ transition from gels of o‐xylene and of an o‐xylene/toluene mixture to identical single crystals with unique tubular architecture. The second is the enhanced stability of the toluene gel towards ions, including quaternary ammonium salts, which enables the preparation of a stable toluene gel in the presence of chloroaurate or chloroplatinate. The gel system can be used as a template for the synthesis of spherical gold nanoparticles with a diameter of 5 to 9 nm and wormlike platinum nanostructures with a diameter of 2 to 3 nm and a length of 5 to 12 nm. This is the first example of a synthesis of platinum nanoparticles in an organogel medium. Therefore, the appropriate introduction of a fluorine atom and corresponding nonbonding interactions into a known gelator to tune the properties and functions of a gel is a simple and effective tactic for design of a gel system with specific targets.     

一种含芘葡萄糖衍生物的合成及其胶凝行为

合成并表征了一种荧光活性小分子胶凝剂——芘磺酰基-丙二胺-葡萄糖(PSDAPG), 考察了其在36种常见溶剂中的胶凝行为. 结果发现, PSDAPG可使其中16种溶剂胶凝. 对癸醇, PSDAPG表现出罕见的超级胶凝能力, 室温下最低胶凝浓度(MGC)达7.0×10-4 g·mL-1. 此外, PSDAPG还是一种既可胶凝水又可胶凝有机溶剂的双性胶凝剂. 扫描电镜(SEM)、傅立叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)、核磁共振(1HNMR)和荧光光谱研究表明,在不同溶剂中, PSDAPG具有不同的聚集结构, 除了芘基之间的疏水π-π堆积作用外, 氢键作用是PSDAPG自发形成三维网络结构的重要驱动力. 实验研究还表明, 溶液态和凝胶态的PSDAPG荧光光谱均同时呈现芘的单体荧光和激基缔合物荧光光谱特征, 但两者的光谱形貌差异显著. 随凝胶的形成, 体系单体荧光发射增强, 激基缔合物荧光发射减弱,表明形成的三维网络结构阻碍了PSDAPG中芘单元的运动性, 使得以Birks途径形成激基缔合物的效率降低.     

A new urea gelator: incorporation of intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonding for stable 1D self-assembly

A new bisurea gelator derived from 2,6-diaminopyridine has been developed. It efficiently gelates common organic and liquid crystalline (LC) solvents by forming elongated self-assembled fibres in solvents. X-Ray crystallography and 1H NMR measurements reveal that two urea groups in pyridine-based bisurea compounds form different hydrogen bonding patterns. One of two urea units is involved in intramolecular hydrogen bonding with the pyridyl nitrogen, while the other urea unit forms bifurcated intermolecular hydrogen bonding. This hydrogen-bonded structure is key for the fibrous self-assembly along with the efficient gelation. In addition, LC gels based on the pyridine-based gelator exhibit good electrooptic properties. These results indicate that the pyridine-based bisurea compound is a good gelator not only effective in gelation but also useful as a component of functional soft materials.     

Supramolecular gels formed from multi-component low molecular weight species

Low molecular weight supramolecular gels consist of small molecules (gelators) that in an appropriate solvent self-assemble into nano- or micro-scale network structures resulting in the formation of a gel. Most supramolecular gels consist of two parts, namely the solvent and the gelator. However, the concept of multi-component supramolecular gels, in which more than one compound is added to the solvent, offers a facile way (e.g. by changing the ratio of the different components) to tailor the properties of the gel. The simplest multi-component gels consist of two components added to the solvent and are the most widely studied to date. There are three general classes of such multi-component gels that have been investigated. The first class requires all the added components to access the gel; that is, no component forms a gel on its own. A second class uses two (or more) gelators which can either co-assemble or self-sort into distinct assemblies and the final class consists of one (or more) gelator and one (or more) non-gelling additive which can impact the assembly process of the gelator and therefore the gel's properties.     

Investigation on the assembled structure-property correlation of supramolecular hydrogel formed from low-molecular-weight gelator

The investigation on structure-property correlation is important for understanding the gelating mechanism of supramolecular hydrogels. In this paper, a low-molecular-weight hydrogelator (termed as gelator 1) prepared from 1,2,4,5-benzene tetracarboxylic acid (BTA) and 4-hydroxy pyridine (PHP) was able to gel water effectively. The influence of environmental stimulation, such as cooling speed and ultrasonic treatment, on the structure of the assembling fibers and the macroscopic properties of the gels was investigated via multiple techniques. The results indicated that the fiber size decreased as increasing the cooling speed and the smallest fibers were obtained under ultrasonic treatment. As the fibers became smaller, the gel with higher T(gel), lower bonded water content and higher dynamic modulus was obtained. Therefore it is possible to control the gel performances via the environmental stimulation. The relationship between the assembled structure and properties is helpful for understanding the gel formation mechanism and makes the gels suitable for different applications.